'It's another layer. It may not be as effective as bullet proofing, or building sally ports, or cameras ... but it's another way of slowing down [an intruder],' said Michael Fetherman, Cedar Grove's Superintendent of Schools.

Superintendent of Schools Michael Fetherman told the Times one of the goals of school security is to "delay and deter" an intruder. The tinting will go on some windows in larger rooms (media centers, gymnasiums, cafeterias) as a way to make the areas that are harder to hide in more difficult to view from the outside.

"It's a cost effective way of buying time," the superintendent said.

The window tinting is just another step in a plan to make the schools safer, and with a maximum cost of $10,867, it's an efficient way to protect the students and staff, Fetherman said.

The district is also looking to saving money toward other ways of slowing down an intruder.

One example Fetherman gave was window security film, which would stop glass from shattering if shot. While the film is not bulletproof, it would make it a timely process for a potential attacker to shoot their way into a building.

"It's all part of the plan to just every year find some monies to make it safer..." Fetherman said.

The district has been meeting with police agencies for the past few years in an effort to increase security throughout the district.

While only select windows will get the tinting, Fetherman said it was experts - including police - who walked around the building and identified potential weak spots.

"It's another layer. It may not be as effective as bullet proofing, or building sally ports, or cameras," he said. "But it's another way of slowing down."

While there have been financial hurdles to jump in the process of making schools safer, Fetherman said the district is trying its best to prioritize the parts of a strategic plan it sketched out a couple of years ago.